Dental crowns are a useful resource for restoring and protecting a damaged tooth. When a tooth has suffered a deep crack or cavity, a crown can help you continue to use the tooth indefinitely. Dental crowns surround and protect (cap) a tooth, are strong and durable, and look beautiful in your smile. Since crowns must be fabricated in an offsite dental laboratory, however, patients must wear a temporary crown during the period between the first and second dental appointment.
Do you have a problem tooth? Let us restore your damaged tooth with an attractive dental crown. At Value Smiles, we believe everyone should have access to affordable dental care, so we offer special discounted rates our patients who do not have dental insurance. Call us at 678-607-9462 to ask us about our special offers!
What is a Temporary Crown?
Temporary crowns are similar to permanent crowns, except they are made to be used only for a few weeks. The crown itself will not fit over your tooth as snugly as a permanent crown, and the dental cement used to bond the temporary crown will not last as long. Temporary crowns may look so good that you might think you don’t need a permanent crown—but that would be a huge mistake. Temporary crowns do not last!
Why Do I Need a Temporary Crown?
The first step in the crowning process is preparing the tooth. This involves removing enamel to make room for the crown to fit over and around the tooth. Once the tooth has been prepared, a dental impression must be taken to ensure the crown will be a perfect fit. Since enamel has now been removed from the tooth, it cannot be left unprotected while the crown is being made. Without a protective temporary crown, the treated tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold, and may be more vulnerable to damage from hard foods. A temporary crown protects the tooth and allows you to continue chewing your food normally while the permanent crown is being constructed.
How Should I Care For My Temporary Crown?
Patients do not need to restrict themselves to a diet of soft foods, as temporary crowns can stand up to most foods. Simply exercise caution, and take care not to put too much stress on the temporary crown.
Patients should avoid any foods that may crack or dislodge the temporary crown. This includes hard, crunchy foods (hard candy, corn nuts, whole almonds, etc.) as well as chewy or sticky foods, such as candy, caramels, chewing gum, and bagels. If you have a tendency to chew on non-food items, such as pens or sunflower seed shells, avoid this behavior when wearing a temporary crown.
Temporary crowns do not require any special cleaning tools. Simply brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day, as per your usual routine.
If You Have a Problem with Your Temporary Crown
If you notice that the crown has become loose, give us a call and we’ll help you determine whether you need to come in to have it reattached. If your temporary crown has fallen out but is in one piece, you may be able to reattach it with a small amount of denture adhesive or temporary dental cement (available at pharmacies).
If you are experiencing any sensitivity or toothache beyond the first couple of days, call us immediately. Temporary crowns should not hurt.
Things to Remember
- Temporary crowns will lose their effectiveness after a few weeks; do not put off your second dental appointment because the temporary crown seems “good enough.”
- Avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, and sticky foods when wearing a temporary dental crown.
- Call Value Smiles and let us know if you have a problem with your temporary crown. You may be able to replace it on your own, or you may need to come in for an emergency appointment.
This place is Awesome! Out of all the dentist offices I visited when I first moved to the Atlanta area Value Smiles over exceeded my expectations! The staff treats you as if you're family very welcoming environment! The office is updated with the top of the line equipment. This is the first time in my life I've completed everything I needed done in my mouth. Even though I live 45 mins away I don't mind driving it! BEST PART...(you don't feel a thing) BEST PART #2 (Affordable) Thanks Value Smiles ;-)